Adhesive film printing apparatus

Abstract

A printing apparatus may include a dispensing device and a print device. The dispensing device may be configured for dispensing a film, wherein the film has an adhesive side. The print device may be arranged about the dispensing device in a position and orientation allowing the print device to impart information onto the adhesive side of the film.

We claim: 
     
       1. A printing apparatus, comprising:
 a box taper comprising:
 a package platform configured to support a box; 
 a frame supporting the package platform; and 
 a tape dispensing device configured and arranged to dispense and apply tape to the box when the box is passed across the package platform, the tape having an adhesive side; and 
 
 a print device comprising a print head and arranged with respect to the dispensing device in a position and orientation such that the tape dispensed from the dispensing device passes adjacent the print head with the adhesive side of the tape exposed to the print head, wherein the print device is configured to impart variable information on the adhesive side of the tape. 
 
     
     
       2. The printing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting assembly comprising a bracket for supporting the print device relative to the dispensing device, and a printing table for supporting the tape during a printing process. 
     
     
       3. The printing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting assembly further comprises a mounting roller for routing the tape dispensed from the dispensing device to the print table for printing. 
     
     
       4. The printing apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the print table and mounting roller arrange the tape with the adhesive side facing the print device. 
     
     
       5. The printing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the bracket is a first bracket, and the mounting assembly further comprises a second bracket coupled to the first bracket. 
     
     
       6. The printing apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the second bracket is coupled to the first bracket at an angle of about 90 degrees. 
     
     
       7. The printing apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the mounting assembly further comprises a roller shaft coupling a mounting roller to the first bracket. 
     
     
       8. The printing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing device comprises a plurality of rollers. 
     
     
       9. A printing process, comprising:
 receiving a box to be taped and passing the box across a package platform of a box taper, the package platform supported by a frame; 
 dispensing a film using a dispensing system, the film having an adhesive side; 
 imparting information on the adhesive side of the film with a print device comprising a print head, by passing the film adjacent the print head with the adhesive side of the film exposed to the print head, the print device coupled to the dispensing system and configured to impart variable information; and 
 applying the film to the box as the box passes across the package platform. 
 
     
     
       10. The printing process of  claim 9 , wherein passing the film adjacent the print head with the adhesive side of the film exposed to the print head comprises passing the film over a print table arranged adjacent the print device. 
     
     
       11. The printing process of  claim 10 , further comprising directing the film to the print table with a mounting roller. 
     
     
       12. The printing process of  claim 9 , wherein the print device is coupled to the dispensing system by a mounting assembly comprising a bracket. 
     
     
       13. The printing process of  claim 12 , wherein the bracket is a first bracket, and the mounting assembly further comprises a second bracket coupled to the first bracket. 
     
     
       14. The printing process of  claim 9 , wherein the dispensing system comprises a plurality of rollers. 
     
     
       15. The printing process of  claim 9 , further comprising monitoring the dispensing rate of the film and imparting information on the film at a rate consistent with the dispensing rate. 
     
     
       16. The printing process of  claim 9 , wherein the box is a first box, and the information imparted is first information, the process further comprising:
 receiving a second box to be taped and passing the second box across the package platform of the box taper; 
 imparting second information on the adhesive side of the film with the print device; and 
 applying the film to the second box as the second box passes across the package platform. 
 
     
     
       17. A box taping apparatus comprising:
 a dispensing device dispensing tape for application on a box, the tape having an adhesive side; 
 a package platform supported by a frame, the package platform configured and arranged to support the box while tape from the dispensing device is applied to the box; and 
 a print device comprising a print head and arranged with respect to the dispensing device in a position and orientation such that the tape dispensed from the dispensing device passes adjacent the print head with the adhesive side of the tape exposed to the print head, wherein the print device is configured to impart variable information on the adhesive side of the tape. 
 
     
     
       18. The box taping apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a mounting assembly comprising a bracket for supporting the print device relative to the box taper, and a print table for supporting the tape during a printing process. 
     
     
       19. The box taping apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the mounting assembly further comprises a mounting roller for routing the tape dispensed from the dispensing device to the print table for printing. 
     
     
       20. The box taping apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the dispensing device comprises a plurality of rollers.